Kenneth Webb arrested for hitting child for bad grammar

MIDDLETOWN, Ind. (INDIANAPOLIS STAR) - Police say a father was arrested after he became violent while trying to improve his 3-year-old son's grammar.

Kenneth R. Webb, 29, was charged Monday with neglect of a dependent and battery resulting in bodily injury to a person under the age of 14.

According to reports by the Henry County sheriff's department, police were notified last week that Webb had repeatedly struck the child in the face, causing "bruising and physical pain."

In an interview with investigators, Webb reportedly acknowledged he had slapped the boy "more than once" because the youngster "wouldn't look him in the eye as he talked."

Asked what he was trying to discuss with the 3-year-old, Webb reportedly said the topic was "sentence structure," adding that he was trying to persuade the child to begin questions with "May I please..."

Webb said he later realized he had struck the boy "too hard and had left slap marks across his face on both sides," an officer wrote.

Police were notified of the incident by Child Protective Services officials. The boy - who was treated at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis - was placed in the custody of a grandparent, reports said.

An initial hearing for Webb - released from the Henry County jail last Friday after posting bond - is set for Sept. 16 in Henry Circuit Court 1.